Layout table



SePt- 2, 1941- H. N. LlvlNGsToN 2,254,689

LAYOUT TABLE Filed Dec. 29, 198

INVENT OR.

HARRY N' L/v/Nas ro/v BY 63m z/M;

ATTORNEY.

Patented Sept. 2, 1941 azslse UNITED STATES 'PATENT OFFECE 2,254,689 LAYoU'r TABLE Harry N. Livingston, Johnson City, N. Y.

Application December 29, 1938, Serial No. 248,243

4 Claims.

This invention relates to tables and more particularly to a layout table adapted for the use of printers and others in analagous occupation.

A primary object of this invention is the provision of a table provided with means whereby a layout for a printed sheet may be accurately and readily designed and measured in order to provide a simple means whereby type may be set for printing such a layout.

An Vadditional object is the provision of a table having improved means for accurately aligning prnted matter in columns, blocks and the like.

'An additional object resides in the provision of improved means for moving a movable member acrossthe table in such manner as to provide 'measuring means at a desired location.

A still further object is the provision of improved means vfor securing a vsheet of paper to the table together with means whereby the same maybe readily and substantially instantaneously removed.

A still further object .is the provision of means for moving a movable rule in exact accordance with the mathematical division of the lsame by means ;of a micrometer having indicating markings in picas.

Other objects will in part be obvious and in part be pointed outhereinafter.

V The invention accordingly consists in the combinations of elements, arrangements of parts and features of construction all as will bemore fully pointed out'hereinafter and disclosed in the accompanying ldravving wherein:

Figure l is a top elevational view of a printed layout table embodying one form of this inventivev concept,

Figure 2 is' a side'elevational view of the structure of Figure l, certain parts thereof being broken away,

Figure 3 is an enlarged ldetali view of certain portions of the mechanism,

Figure 4 isan enlarged detail View of certain other portions of the Operating mechanism,

Figure 5 is'a view similar to Figurell but showing still other constructional details, certain parts being in a different position of adjustment,

Figure 6 is an enlarged detail view of one end of a movable member, and

Figure 7 is an end elevational view of the structure of Figure 6.

Similar reference characters refer to similar parts throughout the several views of the drawlaving particular reference now to Figures 1 and 2 there is generally indicated at |0 a table provided with legs Il and a boxlike'structure l2 supported thereby and a transparent top |3 of glass or analagous material. Top |3 is `provided With an edge portion |'3a of .opaque material. Within Vlooxlike structure |2 is a source of illumination E5, as for example' an electric light bulb, provided With a 'cord and a connecting member l'. Adjacent one side of transparent top E3 is a Scale member Ill pivoted, as best shown in Figure 3, to'boxlike structure l'2 as by means of a pivot rod l'l'whereby the samemay be lifted to right angled relation with respect to the table top, handle |8 fixedly secured to scale member I being provided for this purpose. Positioned :at right-angles to graduated scale M and movable therealong, in a manner to be described hereinafter, is a second graduated Scale member 20.

Scale 20 is mounted on a vcarrier member (see Figure 3) comprised of a block 2| having a plurality of apertures therein designed to permit passage therethrough of three rods, pivoted rod l'l, a second rod 22 and a central threaded rod 23. Secured to block 2| as by screws 24 is a U shaped member 25 correspondingly provided With three apertures, the central one of which is threaded to accommodate threaded rod 23. The legs or outer portions of the U are provided with rollers 26 and 27 adapted to rotate along the exterior surface of rods l'l and 22. Thus it will be seen that rotation of threaded rod 23, in a manner to be described hereinafter, occasions movement of scale 20 transversely across transparent top 13 at right angles to scale 14.

The tip of rule 20 is provided, as best shown in Figures 6 and 7, with a housing 30 within which is pivoted, as by a pivot 3|, a roller 32 to facilitate movement of the outer end of'the ruler along its associated edge.

Rotation of rod 23 is efiected by means of a handle 35 rigidly associated therewith and-having positioned, adjacent a fixed pointer at the edge of the table a scale 36 divided into picas. Thus the rotation of handle 35 one full turn will effect movement of ruler 20 one pica or twelve points. Correspondingly movement of scale 36 from one indication to another will move Scale 20 exactly one point across the table top.

Alignment markers 31 are providedalong edge |3a of top 13 at right angles to scale |4 having their inner faces in parallel relationship whereby to facilitate correct alignment of the material to be laid out. Between alignment markers 31 are a plurality of headed members 38 movable to grip and release the paper in a manner now to be discussed.

Each of members 38 is provided with a stem portion 39 having a collar 40 attached to the inner end thereof, stems 39 being passed through apertures in edge [3a of the table top. Surrounding each of stems 39 and positioned between edge |3a and collar 40 is a coil spring 4|, normally biasing head 38 downward into abutting relation with table top |3. Positioned below and in alignment with stems 39 of members 38 is a rotatable rod 42 which is provided with extending members 43 at either end thereof in off center position. Suitable means are provided, as for example, a gear 45 adapted to be actuated through a suitable worm (not shown) in turn movable by a handle 46 (see Figure 1) to rotate rod 42 about the eccentric axis provided by extending members 43, the arrangement being such that when rod 42 is rotated in one direction abutment is made with stems 39 forcing heads 38 upward with respect to the table. Reverse rotation permits springs 4| to bias heads 38 into abutting relation with the table. A stop member 49 secured to the table asby a pin 50 z is also provided in order to insure proper alignment of rod 42 and preclude complete rotation thereof.

From the foregoing it will now be seen that a sheet of paper adapted for the reception of a layout may be readily and simply clamped to the table, accurate measurements taken along the width thereof by virtue of scale |4 and similar measurements taken at any position along the length thereof by movement of scale member 20.

If it is desired to lay out a column 10 points wide, for example, scale member 20 is simply moved 10 picas from the edge of transparent table top |3. If an additional column two picas wide is then to be laid out additional movement may be effected. Measurements along the length of the column may be readily read from scale 20 and measurements along the width may be equally simply read from scale |4.

Now from the foregoing'it will be seen that there is herein provided an apparatus accomplishing all the objects of this invention and others including many advantages of great practical utility.

As many embodiments may be made of the inventive concept and as many' modifications may be made in the embodiment herein described and shown in the accompanying drawing it is to be understood that all matter hereinbefore set forth or shown is to be interpreted merely as illustrative and not in a limiting sense.

Iclaim:

1. In a printer's layout table, in combination, a transparent surface; a source of illumination positioned beneath said surface; a pivot rod secured to the table at one side of said surface and a graduated scale member pivotally attached to said rod; a second graduated scale at right angles to and carried by said pivot rod and said first mentioned scale member, and means carried by the first mentioned scale member for moving the second scale with respect thereto, said means comprising a worm and a threaded member associated with the second scale with which said worm coacts.

2. In a printer's layout table, in combination, a transparent surface; a source of illumination positioned beneath said surface; a pivot rod secured to the table at one side of said surface and a graduated scale member pivotally attached to said rod; a second graduated scale at right angles to and carried by said pivot rod and said first mentioned scale member; means carried by the first mentioned scale member for moving the second scale with respect thereto; said means comprising a worm and a threaded member associated with the second scale with which said worm coacts, and indicia associated with said means for moving the second scale for determining the extent of such movement with respect to the first scale in proportion to the rotation of said worm.

3. In a printer's layout table, in combination, a transparent surface; a source of illumination positioned beneath said surface; a pivot rod secured to the table at one side of said surface and a graduated scale member pivotally attached to said rod; a second graduated scale at right angles to and carried by said pivot rod and said.

first mentioned scale member; means carried by the first mentioned scale member for moving the second scale with respect thereto, said means comprising a worm and a threaded member associated with the second scale with which said worm coacts, indicia associated with said means for moving the second scale for determining the extent of such movement with respect to the first scale in proportion to the rotation of said worm, and means for retaining a medium in fixed relation to said transparent surface, said means comprising a plurality of clamps adjacent said surface and means comprising a rotatable member having an eccentric axis for simultaneously actuating said clamps.

4. In a printer's layout table, in combination, a transparent surface; a source of illumination positioned beneath said surface; a pivot rod secured to the table at one side of said surface and a graduated scale member pivotally attached to said rod; a second graduated scale at right angles to and carried by said pivot rod and said first mentioned scale member; means carried by the first mentioned scale member for moving said second scale with respect thereto, said means comprising a worm and a threaded member associated with the second scale with which said worm coacts; means comprising a roller member associated with one end of the second scale to facilitate movement thereof with respect to said illuminated surface; indicia associated with said means for moving the second scale for determining the extent of such movement with respect to the first scale in proportion to the rotation of said worm; means for aligning a medium on said transparent surface, said means comprising a plurality of alignment markers adjacent one side thereof, and means for retaining a medium in fixed relation to said transparent surface, said means comprising a plurality of clamps adjacent to said surface, and a rotatable member having an eccentric axis for simultaneously actuating said clamps.

HARRY N. LIVINGSTON. 

